Flushing apparatus for water closets



Aug. 16, 1955 Filed Sept. 20, 1950 R. J. MCLANAHAN 2,715,228

FLUSHING APPARATUS FOR WATER CLOSETS 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR.

Robert J McL anahan H/S A T TORNE Y5 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. J. M LANAHAN FLUSHING APPARATUS FOR WATER CLOSETS Aug. 16, 1955 Filed Sept. 20, 1950 1 h/ I ill! l/f lllflllfll/ 5 x .1 It

WM, Mal/I 1 1* 6 HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent FLUSHING APPARATUS FOR WATER CLOSETS Robert J. McLanahan, Aliquippa, Pa.

Application September 20, 1950, Serial No. 185,717

Claims. (Cl. 4-29) This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in water closets and is particularly directed to means for reducing the amount of water required for flushing.

Many present day water closets require a large amount of water for completing the flushing operation due chiefly to the low velocity and low force of the water employed.

These factors necessitate lengthening the flushing period to insure a complete removal of waste.

It is also desirable to reduce the amount of space required for water closet tanks so that they can be more readily built into the walls of a bathroom and thereby achieve attractive and neat looking bathrooms.

My invention efiects a saving in the amount of water required for a flushing period and reduces the size of tank required by furnishing water at a relatively high velocity and force to closet bowls, thereby shortening the flushing period. T 0 increase the velocity of the water, I employ water at service line pressures acting in a venturi tube to increase the velocity and force of the water supplied to the closet bowl.

In the accompanying drawings I have described certain preferred embodiments of my invention in which:

Figure l is a front sectional view of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top sectional view along the line IIII in Figure l; and

Figure 3 is a front sectional view of a modified form of the invention.

My water closet flushing apparatus comprises a tank or series of interconnected tanks 1 which, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, may be interconnected tubular ones or may be made any desired shape.

A conduit 2 connects the tanks with a closet bowl (not shown), the tanks being connected at one end 2A of the conduit and the bowl being connected at the other end 2B. This conduit contains a venturi tube 3 which is placed adjacent a bottom opening 4 in the tanks 1. Op-

posite mouth 5 of the venturi tube 3 and adjacent the bottom opening 4 is an ejector 6 connected to a service water supply line 6a. The ejector is positioned to supply water at service line pressures to the mouth of the venturi tube. This pressure at the mouth of the venturi tube increases the velocity and force of the flow of water to the closet bowl. In addition, the increased water flow adjacent the opening 4 of the tanks initiates a suction action upon the tanks thus aiding in emptying them. The ejector 6 also fills the tanks at the conclusion of a flushing as will be described later.

Beyond the venturi tube 3 in the conduit 2 is a flush valve acting as a popet valve comprising a valve stem 7, a valve seat 8 and a valve head 9. A plunger 10 projects through the conduit to a point near the stem 7. When this plunger is thrust forward, it engages valve stem 7 and initiates the flushing period as will be described later. A spring 11 returns the plunger to its normal position.

A chamber 12 at the top of the tanks 1 houses a conventional vacuum valve 13 which controls the filling of said tanks. The chamber has air vents 14 for operation of the valve. The vacuum valve has ports 15 which per- I CC mit water to pass through the valve to an overflow conduit 16 and thence to the bowl (not shown) at the end 2B of the conduit 2 in the event the vacuum valve fails to close when the tanks have filled.

Water at service line pressure and water stored in the tanks are available for flushing. The flushing operation is begun by thrusting plunger 10 forward so that it engages valve stem 7 and tilts valve 9. Since the water service line is on, when valve 9 is tilted in its seat, the increased velocity and force of the water from the venturi tube will keep the flush valve open until the tanks are exhausted. The flow of water from the ejector at this time creates a suction action upon the tanks and aids in their emptying. As the water level in the tank drops, atmospheric pressure acting through air vents 14 opens the vacuum valve, thus enabling the tanks to empty. Valve 9 seats itself after the tanks have emptied and thereupon ejector 6 begins to fill them. The rising water in the tanks closes the vacuum valve. Should valve 13 fail to close when the tanks have filled, the overflow will be conveyed through ports 15 to conduit 16 and thence to the bowl.

Figure 3 illustrates a modified form of my invention. There, to flush tank 20, lever 21 is pressed downward. Arm 22 joined to lever 21 at 23 then raises flush valve 24 and valve stem 25 from seat 26. This permits water in tank 20 to commence flowing through conduit 27 which is connected to a closet bowl. A float 40 attached to the end of lever 28 of float actuated valve 29 falls with the water level and opens float valve 29 permitting water at service line pressure to enter selector valve 30 through pipe 31. Selector valve 30 is operated by arm 22 so that when arm 22 is in the raised position (shown in Figure 3) port 32 is open permitting water at service line pressures to flow through conduit 33 to ejector 34 which is opposite the opening of venturi tube 35. When port 32 is open, port 36 and selector valve 30 are closed and vice versa. After the tank has been exhausted flush valve 24 seats itself; and arm 22, which is now in a lowered position, has closed port 32 and opened port 36. This enables water from pipe 31 to flow through conduit 37, thus filling the tank. As the water rises in tank 29, float and lever 28 correspondingly rise and close float valve 29 when the tank is full. Should valve 29 fail to close, overflow pipe 38 will convey the water to conduit 27 and thence to the bowl.

My flushing apparatus does not require a large volume of water to complete a flushing due to the increased velocity and force of the water from the venturi tube. Hence, flushing periods are shortened and smaller tanks may be used. The smaller tanks can be built into the walls resulting in roomier bathrooms. Furthermore, the above described features will result in substantial savings in water consumption.

While certain present preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that it may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A flushing apparatus for water closets having a tank and a bowl, said apparatus comprising a conduit connecting the tank and the bowl whereby water in the tank can be used for flushing the bowl, a Venturi tube in the conduit, a flush valve in said conduit between the exit end of said Venturi tube and said bowl for controlling the flow of water through the conduit, an ejector adapted to be connected to a source of water under pressure and positioned in the Venturi tube for accelerating the flow of water through said conduit, means for tilting said flush valve on its seat whereby, when said valve is tilted on its seat, water at increased velocity from. the Venturi tube keeps the valve open until the tank is exhausted.

,2. A flushingapparatus for water closets having a tank and a bowl, said apparatus comprising a conduit connecting the tank and the bowl whereby Water in the tank can be used for flushing the bowl, a Venturi tube in the conduit, a poppet valve in said conduit between the exit end of said,.Ventu ri tube and saidbowl for controlling thefiow of water through the conduit, an ejector adapted to be connected to a' source of water under pressure and positioned in the Venturi tube for accelerating the flow of water through said conduit, ,1

means for tilting said'poppet valve on its seat whereby, when said valve is tilted on its seat, water at increased velocity from the Venturi tube keeps the valve open until the tank is exhausted.

:3 A flushing apparatus for water closets having a bowl, said apparatus comprising a series of interconnectedtanks, a conduitconnecting the tanks and the bowl whereby water in the tankscan be used for fiushing the bowl, a,Venturi tube in the conduit, a flush 1 hausted, and a vacuum valve at the top of said tanks for controlling the filling of said tanks.

4. A flushing apparatus for water closets having a tank and a bowl, said apparatus comprising a conduit connecting the tank and the bowl whereby water in the tank can be used for flushing the bowl, a Venturi tube in the conduit, a flush valve in said tank for controlling Ill) the flow of water from said tank to said bowl, an ejector adapted to be connected to a source of water under, pressure and positioned in said Venturi tube whereby water under pressure from the ejector accelerates the flow of water through said conduit, a valve connected into said ejector for controlling the flow of water through said ejector, cooperating means connecting said flush valve with the valve for said ejector whereby opening and closing the fiush valve simultaneously opens and closes the valve for the ejector.

5. A flushing apparatus for Water closets having a tank and a bowl, said apparatus comprising a conduit connecting the tank and the bowl whereby water in the tank can be used for flushing the bowl, a Venturi tube in the conduit, a flush valve in said tank for controlling the flow of Water from said tank to said bowl, an ejector adapted to be connected to a source of water under pressure and positioned in said Venturi tube whereby water under pressure from the ejector accelerates the flow of water through said conduit, a valve connected into said ejector for controlling the flow of water through said ejector, cooperating means connecting said flush valve with thevalve for said ejector whereby opening and closing the fiush'valve simultaneously opens and closes the valve for the ejector, .and cooperating means for controlling the filling of said tank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Vetrano Oct. 19, 1937 

